risk

1 of 2

noun

1
: possibility of loss or injury : peril
2
: someone or something that creates or suggests a hazard
3
a
: the chance of loss or the perils to the subject matter of an insurance contract
also : the degree of probability of such loss
b
: a person or thing that is a specified hazard to an insurer
c
: an insurance hazard from a specified cause or source
war risk
4
: the chance that an investment (such as a stock or commodity) will lose value
riskless adjective

risk

2 of 2

verb

risked; risking; risks

transitive verb

1
: to expose to hazard or danger
risked her life
2
: to incur the risk or danger of
risked breaking his neck
risker noun
Phrases
at risk
: in a state or condition marked by a high level of risk or susceptibility
patients at risk of infection

Examples of risk in a Sentence

Noun I prefer not to expose my money to too much risk. The degree of risk is minimal. All investments have an element of risk. The trip didn't seem like much of a risk. I'm aware of the risks associated with this treatment. There is a risk of liver damage with this medication. Wearing a seatbelt greatly reduces the risk of injury or death in a car accident. We feel that this product presents a significant risk to public health. To me, skydiving is not worth the risk. Smoking is a risk to your lungs. Verb She risked her life to save her children. He risked all his money on starting his own business. He risked breaking his neck. She's risking being considered too sentimental. The country risked a war. brave people who risked being killed to help others I'm not willing to risk getting lost. I'm going to buy a map. The company is risking the loss of millions of dollars. It's not wise to risk traveling so soon after surgery.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
While carjackings are not the fault of the victim, knowing tips on how to prevent them can help put a person less at risk. Jasmine Hilton, Washington Post, 8 Mar. 2024 Agricultural crops at risk Indiana’s agriculture adds about $35 billion each year to the state’s economy, and false springs due to climate change could threaten overall production of some of Hoosier’s main exports. Karl Schneider, The Indianapolis Star, 8 Mar. 2024 Why put communities at risk and allow these societal costs from measles when effective and safe tools are available to protect everyone? Discover Magazine, 8 Mar. 2024 Dallas county ranked as number 1 for the most at risk and Tarrant county ranked at number three. Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Mar. 2024 The Alabama senator's mention of IVF services comes as Republicans seek to quell concerns that access to fertility treatments could be at risk after the high court in Britt's home state found frozen embryos can be considered children under Alabama law. Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 8 Mar. 2024 Trans men, trans women, and non-binary people are not a threat, and to imply otherwise puts trans people at risk. Kimi Robinson, USA TODAY, 8 Mar. 2024 On Sunday, the Gaza Health Ministry said a lack of fuel has forced several hospitals in the north to cease operations and has put intensive care patients at risk. Christopher Cann, USA TODAY, 27 Feb. 2024 On Tuesday, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, along with the Miami and Miami-Dade County police departments, announced a combined effort underway this week to document both derelict vessels in South Florida, and those at risk of becoming derelict. David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 26 Feb. 2024
Verb
Biden has for months warned that Israel risks losing international support over mounting civilian casualties in the region. Brie Stimson, Fox News, 10 Mar. 2024 Cutting rates too early could risk a reacceleration of inflation. Stan Choe, Fortune, 7 Mar. 2024 Yet the United States risks being left on the sidelines absent action from the commission. Maxine Joselow, Washington Post, 6 Mar. 2024 Multiple other name auteurs pack out the selection, which also includes a far stronger line is broad audience comedies than most festivals would risk. Callum McLennan, Variety, 5 Mar. 2024 Ericsson has successfully utilized digital twins to optimize 5G networks, creating a safe environment for testing and training machine learning algorithms without risking real-world operations. Oleg Fonarov, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 This Kafkaesque situation risks other countries not wishing to remove flammable cladding, says Rein. Alex Christian, WIRED, 1 Mar. 2024 Who else has used the can opener only to fish out the top from the inside afterward, risking a serious slice and stitches to the fingers? Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 27 Feb. 2024 With the border legislation stalled, Biden is considering executive action on the border under federal immigration powers once used by Trump to achieve some of the policies in the legislation, risking a backlash from progressives and immigration advocates. Joey Garrison, USA TODAY, 26 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'risk.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French risque, from Italian risco

First Known Use

Noun

1655, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1660, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of risk was in 1655

Dictionary Entries Near risk

Cite this Entry

“Risk.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/risk. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

risk

1 of 2 noun
1
: possibility of loss or injury
2
: someone or something that presents a risk
a bad risk
a good credit risk

risk

2 of 2 verb
1
: to expose to danger
risked her life
2
: to take the risk or danger of
risked breaking his neck

Medical Definition

risk

noun
1
: possibility of loss, injury, disease, or death
hypertension increases the risk of stroke
2
: a person considered in terms of the possible bad effects of a particular course of treatment
a poor surgical risk

Legal Definition

risk

noun
1
a
: possibility of loss or injury
b
: liability for loss or injury if it occurs
the risk of loss passes to the buyer when the goods are duly delivered to the carrierUniform Commercial Code
the risk of personal injury and property damage should be placed with the manufacturer rather than the consumerCase & Comment
2
a
: the chance of loss to the subject matter of an insurance contract : uncertainty with regard to loss
also : the degree of probability of such loss compare peril
b
: a person or thing that is a specified hazard to an insurer
a poor risk for insurance
c
: an insurance hazard from a specified cause or source
a war risk
riskless adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on risk

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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